Sharing...

I'm relishing the quiet that surrounds me right now, nothing but  birdsong...peaceful bliss!
I'm also finding it quite amusing that the first day we have had for weeks without sunshine meets the first day back to school! A gloomy day to match the kids' mood..how thoughtful of the weather :)

I thought I'd pop in and share the rest of the card designs I've created (some others can be seen here).

There have also been a couple of things that have popped into my inbox that I've thought "how great is that!"... and so wanted to share in case you may have missed them.

The first one is Andrea Schroeder's  "Lets give your dreams wings"  FREE e- course. Its a dip into the techniques and tips that she offers and is more than enough to get your dream up and on the road (and in a mere 10 minutes a day!). I've used Andrea's techniques for several years now and am a fully fledged member of her Creative Dream Circle. I love Andrea  and her work....some may find it a bit "out there", but if there is anything I have learned since starting this business journey of mine is.... growth requires doing the inner work, which for me was letting go of a crazy load of limiting beliefs and fears!

The next one on receiving, created the immediate response: "YES!.... How to write  the ultimate resume....
or ..... your "Really wild Bio"! I love the idea of a CV containing more than just the previous jobs worked/ qualifications gained... one that honours those moments and experiences in life that make you uniquely YOU, and highlight the unique and wonderful skills only YOU have! You can download a FREE copy that contains all the juicy ways to dig in and find out what your Wild Bio would contain here!
Seems so fitting at this time, when my eldest is at the stage of having to make subject choices at school , which to her feels like such a defining moment....I'm tempted to email the link to the school :)

So that's all I've got to share for now....all I have left to offer is a hug of the hairy variety...but I think that should suffice.... after all what better kind of hugs are there?! ;)x

A pleasant little interlude...

"Admiring from afar"

To counteract the feeling that everything I'm trying to put together is taking so long, it felt great to do a bit of tearing and gluing, painting and drawing, and end up with something to show for it...albeit  a bit teensy!

(A little jiggery pokery computery collage added to the mix!)

"Footprints"

I am really excited about showing you the goodies I almost have ready to launch into the world. But for now I offer you these little mixed media pieces. I love how they have turned out, especially the bear below..but you know I have a soft spot for these furry fellows!

"Friend..?!"

The tea bags even got involved in these ones...yet another excuse to pour a cup!

Hope you're all getting back into the swing of things again after the hols...did they even happen?! xx

Winter Sewing : Introducing a new pattern and a freebie!

I love a good winter project to keep me occupied over the dark cold nights, and so I've been enjoying sewing again. (though my sore fingers are telling me I am very out of practise!)

With that in mind I've set to work to come up with a few designs available as a downloadable pdf pattern, so that if you love a good wintery project too then there will be a few nature inspired ones available just for you!

The first pdf pattern that I'd like to introduce is this fabric stag head, designed as a cushion/softie/plushie for your wall, shelf or favourite chair!

I'm delighted with the way the stag has turned out and have to say I really enjoyed making this.

 The pattern comes as a 12 page pdf  ..all the details can be found here.

There are 5 embroidery stitches in the included stitch "library", but I chose running stitch as the main component of the hand stitching...I love this stitch..so simple and very therapeutic...the repetitive motion of weaving the needle in and out. Love it!

The pattern is now available in my shop here , there is a special  30% introductory discount available till Christmas ...simply type in at the check out:

WINTER13

And enough of the sale talk! Below I've created a sweet little embroidery design for you to print for FREE and get jiggy with if you feel the stitchery wintery urge. Simply click on the image and then "save as"  to your computer for printing. If I've got my calculations right (which is always debatable) the size provided should fit a 6 x 6" embroidery hoop.

Enjoy!!!x

New website..back to my roots

Oooh lala, I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself........
I'm updating my website and have finally got it to a stage where I can "publish" it to the world!
It's still a work in progress but.......Taadaaaa....

You can visit my new shiny website here

I must admit to mainly feeling chuffed that I worked out how to create a "screen shot"...who knew it was so easy? Makes me realise there are buttons on this keyboard I have never even noticed existed. How observant  I am!

If you get the chance to have a little mosy around I hope you like the feel. There are still changes to be made, and more things to be added (like a whole new shop) but this feels like the closest I've gotten  YET, to creating something that sits together and feels really good!....and dare I say, perhaps even resembles a "brand"?!
I've written a whole new "about me" part that felt very liberating and true...unlike most "bio's I've written (and read for that matter), it's me on a plate from the heart! No more trying to be anything other than who I am! Simple and so bloomin obvious!

Hugs to you all. Hope you have a wonderful weekend x

Christmas Cards!

Hello lovelies! Can you believe it's November?

Hope you had a fun halloween...ours was suitably spent face deep in green jelly fishing for eyeballs and dooking for apples..oh and doing the Monster Mash of course!
Stu and I had a movie night watching World War Z...zombie apocalypse meets Brad Pitt and block buster..hmmmm interesting mix...though I'm such a light weight I did miss a lot of it hiding behind my hands.
Why do I put myself through it?!
Anyhoos just to change the subject completely, my christmas cards have returned from the printers and I can now show them to you! Insert little star jump *

"All is bright"

"Warmest wishes"

"Secret Santa"

"Winter Wonderland"

I'm really loving these little cards, my homage to to the festive season. I don't tend to dive right into the full Christmas shabang, but I do value the sentiment of love and togetherness this time of year brings, which hopefully is captured in these cards.

They are all available in my etsy shop if you are extremely organised!......

which I must add is where my christmas organisation stops.Damn!;)x

My first exhibition

Finally I have some photos to share! In the end I popped back to the gallery to take some to show you, as it turns out the ones mum had taken from the opening evening were more a sea of heads rather than pieces! (You'll see what I mean later) I'm afraid these aren't the greatest of photos but I hope you'll get the idea...

I have shared the embroidery part of  the pieces you see above and below before..here they are finished with a pencil sketch added. These pieces are the ones I love the most as I put a mammoth amount of effort and time into each one (plus actual blood on occasion!)  But they also hold every element of what I love ...contrasts, layers, colour and texture..and magic too! Inspired by the saying "coming out of the woodwork" my active imagination wandered to animals stepping out of wallpaper....I have fantastic bamboo patterned wallpaper in the bathroom, and while brushing my teeth often smile at the thought of a panda just casually sauntering out from behind the foliage! ...

"Peering through the patchwork"

"A kingly stance"

"Seeing is believing"

I've been sharing parts of the beach scene over on facebook...I created them with the idea that they all sit together to create the scene but are individual pieces....they make me smile..and keep me dreaming of summer! 

It's the most amazing feeling walking past a window and seeing your work looking out at you :)

There are 40 individual pieces of mine exhibiting, including some books and soft sculpture birds. You've seen some of the pieces before and I've saved a couple to show you another time. I have to add I have never seen my home so clutter free! 

Here are the heads I was on about! :) 

Despite  nerves, the opening evening was incredible. Its hard to put into words how whole heart-FULLY blessed it feels to have people take time out of their own busy lives to come along and support little old me. Actually makes me get a wee lump in my throat at the thought. And still the support continues with visits from dear facebook connections and sweet emails enquiring. Just incredible, and amazingly humbling. So so grateful indeed.

                              
What I also take away from this whole amazing experience (apart from the dodgy photo! ) is the realisation and celebration that I have achieved something  I once thought was impossible...so watch this space for the next " impossible dream" to come true ..yipee!
Thankyou all for sharing this adventure with me too.

Clay pieces

It would be wrong not to return after the last post with more samples of where my creative rumblings have been taking me....I have been having sooo much fun!

(and thankyou all so much who left a comment and shared...so heart warming to know I am not alone!)

In between the framing , final touches and invitations for my exhibition in 6 days(eek!), I've been finding relaxation and calm through these tiny pieces....some of which have ended up in my little shop..and some which sold within minutes of placing them in my little shop (wowzer!).

I sewed the ribbon part of this piece as I watched "The hobbit, an unexpected adventure"..it was quite without intention but made me smile ALOT on realising :)

I'm so looking forward to sharing some of the new pieces I've created for my little show,next week...but first I am off on a well earned jolly with my little sis and mum for the weekend to Glasgow!Yipee. Hope the sun is shining where ever you are :)xx

Ta daaaaaa.... !

Finally I have something to show you!.....the  project I've been working on is now in completion!...a wee range of stitched cards and limited edition prints...yippee!

 I started creating these stitched designs almost a year ago, squeezing them in between the other projects (and life!) that was going on..and I'm feeling pretty proud of my little creations....its been like having children all over again :)

They'll be coming with me to the Glasgow Trade Fair this weekend, which I'll be exhibiting at...I'm in the throes of last minute organisation  as I type!

 These birdie ones are a little different from my usual stitching but they are my favourites for sure.....so happy with how the cards and prints capture the exact textures and depths.You could easily mistake them for the original, the prints especially.The temptation to touch is high!

Some familiar faces you have seen before too....

Thought  I'd better make atleast one "gentlemanly" one!

  Good old gloria.....I do love a cheeky budgie, and a pink one at that!

 I wanted to include a little bit of wordage too.....

 Aah, feels so great to have shared and released these out into the world! Thankyou so much for looking :)x